BECOME.

I have a very strong belief that we each are responsible for becoming who we want to become and not blaming lives circumstances or problems on others. There is greatness in each of us, there is strength in each of us, we are responsible to take action in our lives, we are to become great individuals! I loved this talk by D. Todd Christofferson and the straightforward way he teaches the importance of God's ways. There is great meaning to this life. It is not to work, earn money, make it through each day, search for temporal wealth and happiness, or become selfish. The great meaning in this life is to BECOME. We are meant to become something greater, to live for something greater and to want something greater. In life we have activities and duties that help us learn, teach us great lessons, and provide for lifes needs, but if the "becoming" is missing from these great parts of life then they are not fulfilling their full purpose. We need to take action that every part of our lives are helping and assisting us to become. Develop the attributes, talents and skills that will help you truly become your best self. Take responsibility to make sure that happens, cause no one else will. You are the master at the helm of your ship, take it where you want! And yes the journey is tough and their are waves and storms you didn't plan on, but you are the captain. You can't blame anyone else if you give up. But God does not leave you helpless, He blesses us with compasses, maps, examples to follow as we journey to becoming!

We have the tools and we have the perfect example to follow. When one KNOWS the purpose of this life it GIVES purpose to their life! You have the power to choose, to make decisions and to make life happen. Just like Pinnochio when he becomes a real boy, we are NOT puppets. God allows us to make daily life decisions and asks us to exert ourselves and take action. He has blessed us with commandments, a living prophet, scriptures, prayer, and so many other tools and blessings to help us in this great life journey, but in the end it is up to YOU. You have the power to become something greater, something out of this world :). "Take responsibility and go to work, so there is something for God to help us with."

I have much to become. And so do you!

GO READ AND WATCH THESE LINKS!!!!!!

Talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng

Highlight video from his talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgbOwvIeOGM&index=6&list=PLClOO0BdaFaNmUqc3ItZJgiuQC9AuoGVo

Visual video (i LOVE this!): https://www.facebook.com/lds.d.todd.christofferson

Second Birthdays

We had a second birthday party for miss Jane while the family traveled here for Paige's baby shower. It was fun to have them here to celebrate her life and the the little lady she's becoming. I had made an invite with her birthdate in it...but we just parties for an extra 2 weeks :).

I made little clay wish bones for each person at the party for their place setting. It was so fun having so much family here to enjoy celebrating and being together. We had a delicious brunch and yummy food all day. We also finally did our "branch" tradition with or Christmas Tree boughs. We threw them into our fire pit while saying a sweet memory of Jane from her first year of life. It was really special and fun reminiscing her first year of life!

The birthday girl sure felt special. She got some special gifts from family: James made her a birthday video from birth till now, I made her a tie blanket, Uncle Spencer and Aunt MK gave her a special glass box, and the family from home gave her a sweet puzzle (she LOVES it) a noise machine, a fun turtle and lots of love. She has been showered and surrounded by love from day one, and I think it's rubbed off cause she is one loving young lady.

She gave lots of hugs to Grammy and Andrea during their visit. It was so sweet to see her cuddle up with them! She is a beautiful and wonderful little girl and is going to be a great big Sissie! Thanks to all of my family for making time and effort to make special memories that will last forever!!!!!!!!!!!! Being together is so important to me and having one on one moments. <3

Meet the Mormons

We were finally able to go and see this great film. There are so many good and wonderful people all over the world! Each one of the stories in this film testified to me of the goodness in people. Happiness is found in service, in love, in family, in Christ, in knowing your purpose, in being a faithful person, in strivng to live better lives. There is courage and strength in humanity. I am so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am grateful for the purpose, principles and power it brings into my life, my home, my marriage and my family.

When you wonder why some people are so happy look into their life. What do they focus on? What do they spend time on? What do they talk about? Life is meant to be happy and I truly feel that when you know why you are here and capture the love of serving others you find a deep lifting happiness. Life presents challenges and struggles, some that seem unbearable, but there is someone who can lift them, someone who can love you through them and guide you to a happy path. Jesus Christ IS the Savior of the world. He yearns to lift and bless us in our lives. I know that He lives, I know that He cares and I know that He is the example of a happy, rich and purposeful life. I choose to follow Christ, through thick and thin, through joys and sorrows, through the rough and tough. How grateful I am for others who share their stories and faith in Him!

Baby baby!!!!

Tonight we celebrated a wonderful mother to be!!! My dear sister in law, Paige, is pregnant with her first and we are all in a tissy of excitement! My sweet mom and I threw a Wonderland Tea Party in her honor!

My mom could honestly start her own culinary catering shop, ALL the food was delightful and incredibly tasty!! Driving all the way from Seattle she still managed to bring her China and all the gear to make the dishes of the evening. Yep, she's Wonder Woman! It was so special to have her and my little sister down for the shower! Having a first baby is a big deal!!! And having support and love is so important and special. I sure love and appreciate the willingness and eagerness my mother has to make it to family events and to make a party special. And let's face it "NO one can cook as good as mama!"

We had so much fun playing games; writing funny phrases on diapers and trying some awesome baby foods! It was great to see everyone faces as they tried the mushy foods of the baby world. Yuck yuck!

What a fun time we had enjoying tasty food, laughter, good company, fun games, sharing gifts, being with family and celebrating life. I love new babies and the hope and joy they bring into the world!

The little take homes for all the guests were some Queen of Heart Tarts :). It was a special evening for a special lady and baby gal on the way!

Sweet Dreams

Flying baby! I love bedtime. Not because it's "finally time to put kids to bed" but because of the fun routine and special moments it entails. I love getting Jane into her Jammie's. I love helping her brush her little teeth. I love when she gets into her little sleeping sack. I love reading one last book. I love having her head lay on my shoulder while her sweet hand rubs my back. I love rocking her while singing some dear children's hymns to her. I love feeling her body get heavy with sleep. I love being close to this little lady of mine and feeling the bond between mother and child. She is so dear and precious to me!

Bedtime is so special. It is a loving moment of the day that I treasure. When I leave someone else to help her with her bedtime process I miss it. And yes there are the nights when it is a big "wahooooo I got her to sleep" after some good crying and screaming from teething or who knows what..but that almost makes it even more special and awesome!! Knowing that this little bundle of love takes comfort in the arms of her mama. I hope she can always feel comforted and loved and safe with me. There is so much tenderness in a sleeping babe and I love this little Jane bug and her sweet sleeping ritual.

I love my little flying baby and the dreams that she fulfills! Always live your dreams little Jane cause that's what life's made of; sweet dreams!

A Lovely Family

I love this little family!!! I was lucky enough to get to photograph this darling family of three in downtown Idaho Falls. It was chilly and wintry and so much fun!

They are so classy and adorable! My dear friend, Sarah, had these two little muffins super duper close and is an amazing mother. 

She is a woman of talent, kindness, humor, love, sense of adventure, musical abilities and loyal. Her husband started his own company and always has a project he's working on and she supports him through each venture. She cares a great deal about tradition and family. And holds strong to her faith. Sarah is a true red head; full of spunk, class, energy and great abilities (my dream hair!).

It was such an honor and so fun to get to take some family shots for them. I also got to do some single shots of her kiddos that were a blast to do. Families are lovely. Families are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Oven Baking

We are baking a sweet little bun! Little Muffin #2 is on the way and will be ready in July. We are so thrilled and excited for another little adorable to come into our family and join the rank of cousins :)!

For Janes birthday I painted and made her a little oven. She's enjoyed poking it and playing with it...not so much being inside of it ;). But she'll do anything for bread. That's my girl!

When we heard little ones first heart beat it was really special! Jane did a little dance to the noise on the machine, adorable! She's going to be a great sister! Baby is healthy and a wiggler and crosses those tiny legs just like Jane. We sure are looking forward to meeting him/her!!!!!